Stained glass artist a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’
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Last updated Apr 10, 2021
Caryl Hallett is the calm prescence behind her colourful creations.

While it is nice to look at the world through rose coloured glasses it is even better to look through a unique piece of stained glass. It is painstaking work in more than one sense of the word but this Harrogate artist loves what she does.

Caryl Hallett Stained Glass, which is tucked away just off Starbeck’s high street in Spa Studios, has always used traditional methods but she uses them to create bright, colourful and contemporary pieces.

It takes many hours, lots of artistic flare and even more plasters to cover up cuts to get the finished result. Her work normally goes into homes but her ode to the Tour de France is an eyecatching feature on Montpellier Hill for all to see.

She loves to create stained glass but as a former teacher Caryl wants to spend more time helping others to learn this lost art. Coronavirus has of course curtailed her classes but she is keen to bring them back at the end of June.

But coronavirus has also meant that as people spend more time at home they want to make some improvements and many have turned to Caryl. She currently has a backlog as a result of closing in the first lockdown and increased demand.


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Caryl was one of the first artists in the Spa Studios hub on Spa Lane, Starbeck. The hub aims to offer an affordable space for small businesses to help give them a boost and a space to collaborate. She told the Stray Ferret:

“Often in partnerships or couples there will be one who is really keen to have it because they have seen my work but they mention it to their partner who immediately thinks ‘boring, dull, dark’.

“So we have a a chat and I send them over some examples then they come over to the studio and they realise it is an added jewel to the house.

“I tend to do bespoke work for people who want something beautiful in their home.

“It is the kind of craft that just engages you and never leaves you alone. People find it tricky but they love what they produce.

“So many people come and it feels like therapy because they are so involved in the process. It can be exhausting but they enjoy working with their hands. It is sad that I have not been able to do that so I am looking forward to that.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.


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